Kid's Korner

Boo! Haunted houses abound this month, but you can find birds, basketball, and a big top, too

By: Greg Ryan

Published: 09/16/2009

Big Top Bash

Through Oct. 12:Big Apple Circus Don’t let its location — the Palisades Center commuter lot — fool you: This show-stopping act is for real. Highlighted by the hair-raising antics of Bello — Time once named him “America’s best clown” — Big Apple also features a juggler, trapeze artist, and aerialist, as well as horse and dog shows. Every seat is within 50 feet of the action. See Web site for dates and times. $15-$39. • 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack. 800-922-3772 or www.bigapplecircus.org

Haunted History

Oct. 16, 23-24, 30-31:Legends by Candlelight Spook Tours It wouldn’t be October without at least one visit down to Spookytown. These tours at Clermont State Historic Site aren’t overly scary, though; families with children six and older can enjoy them without worrying about nightmares later. Guests travel from room to room in the creepily decked-out mansion, experiencing close-up encounters with — and hearing stories from — the ghosts of residents past along the way. Tours take place every half-hour. 6-8 p.m. $8, $5 children. • 1 Clermont Ave., Germantown. 518-537-4240 or www.friendsofclermont.org

Hoop Dreams

Oct. 17:Women’s Basketball Youth Clinic It’s not every day you score pointers on dribbling from a Division I basketball player. It’s even less often you receive that lesson for free. Here, any girl in grade eight or younger — no matter her skill level — can participate in this complimentary clinic, hosted by members of the Army women’s basketball team and held at West Point’s Christl Arena. 12-1:15 p.m. • West Point. 845-938-0390 or www.goarmysports.com

Ghost Town

Oct. 23-25: Washington Irving’s Legends Kids can find all sorts of spooky diversions at this Museum Village weekend event, including clairvoyant fortune-tellers, a house of horrors, a haunted hay ride, and a scavenger hunt involving raven beaks and dragon scales. For the more easily frightened, “No Scare Sunday” takes place on the last day of the Halloween-fest. That tyke-friendly event includes pass-the-pumpkin, a piñata, and a costume contest. Fri.-Sat. 6-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $8, $5 children & seniors, under four free. • 1010 Rte. 17M, Monroe. 845-782-8248 or www.museumvillage.org

Fun With Falconry

Oct. 24: Skyhunters In Flight With Brian Bradley In this demonstration, held at the Rhinebeck Center for the Performing Arts, wildlife expert Brian Bradley uses real-life raptors to show how birds of prey find their food. The event then moves outside for a simulated hunt using the birds and hunting dogs. 11 a.m. $9, $7 children. • 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080 or www.centerforperformingarts.org